We’re currently experiencing serious technical problems on the site, and as a result are unable to update the news – even though our market data is running as per normal. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to be up and running again this evening. Thank you for your patience in this regard.
– David McKay (editor) & team

Uptick in bond applications

Jun 18 2012 09:56

I-Net Bridge

Related Articles

Johannesburg - SA's leading bond originator‚ ooba‚ says it
has recorded significant growth in home loan applications and approved loans in
May‚ a sign that there are still pockets of growth in demand among households.

The growth was also affirmation that first-time home buyers
were active and that lending conditions by finance institutions were
easing slightly‚ according to ooba CEO Saul Geffen.

The company's latest statistics revealed that the rand value
of ooba's home loan approvals showed a year-on-year increase of 50% during May.

Geffen said that this was the best monthly performance
recorded since April 2008.

"The consistent increase in applications and approvals over
the past months is a positive indicator for the property market.

"There seems to
be a marked increase in consumer sentiment and appetite for residential
property and this has been underpinned by improved access to finance‚" Geffen
said.

Ooba noted May's approvals were 221% up on ooba's lowest
approved loans month‚ being January 2009‚ but still only 32% of its peak month
in May 2007.

Other figures showed that the value of ooba's applications
in May was 20% higher than the same period last year‚ and 36% higher than April
2012.

The number of people applying for home loans was increasing‚
Geffen said‚ but added that this was being outpaced by the value of home loans
approved given improved lending conditions and increased bank competition.

Geffen said that in comparison to the company’s historical
best month‚ May 2007‚ applications were 45% of peak levels.

Share this page

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.